New Year Starts with 6 Killer Whales
This is our third transient killer whale (Orcinus orca) encounter in a week. What a week it has been. Captain Dave and the crew found great sea conditions and bright sun in the Santa Barbara Channel, making spout finding easier.
The adventure today began with a trip over to Santa Cruz Island where we located and watched one gray whale on its south bound migration about a mile off the face of the island. A little further along we could see a big assemblage of 1,000 common dolphins and at least 300 California sea lions in a mixed group. As we motored over to see this big mass of small marine mammals, spouts were seen not too far from our location. It turned out to be 6 killer whales.
Among the notable behaviors today two of the female killer whales charged the mixed dolphin/sea lion group and sent them running…scattering the mass over several miles of ocean. Nothing appeared to be taken down in this mock attack, and the two returned to the pod. There was one large male in the pod today also.
On the way back to the harbor another large group of 1,000 common dolphins were watched.
It was another epic adventure and was a great way to usher in 2014.
We have trips all week and this weekend too. I look forward to seeing you on board soon.
Best wishes for the new year, Bob Perry Condor Express